What if joy itself is a form of protest? In this episode, Denise and Jackie reflect on a powerful week marked by national unrest, a shared birthday, and what it means to find moments of joy and connection amidst political chaos.

Key Times:

00:00:00 – Welcome back + gratitude breathwork

00:01:36 – Celebrating their shared birthday and reflecting on protest energy

00:04:33 – Street vending, community care, and giving out goldfish

00:06:05 – Angel City FC: surprise seats, frosé, and emotional moments

00:08:27 – “Immigrant City FC” shirts and the bittersweet game

00:13:42 – Denise’s 60th birthday party: tarot, tacos, and radical joy

00:17:43 – Jackie’s Scholastic-style book fair and curated party favors

00:21:02 – Crack Krispies and charcuterie: making joy delicious

00:24:30 – Political tension, privilege, and community protection

00:30:26 – Announcing 12 Steps for Everyone virtual meetings

00:33:37 – Jackie is off to grad school! Overwhelm and transition talk

00:35:20 – Closing thoughts: showing up anyway, with fresh breath

Show Notes / Episode Summary:

In this richly layered episode, Denise and Jackie bring listeners into a week of deeply personal and collective reflection. From participating in a massive protest against state violence to throwing an intentionally joyful, women-centered birthday celebration, they unpack what it means to hold rage and gratitude in the same breath.

Denise turns 60 and goes all out - hosting a dreamy day of tacos, tarot, books, and body positivity. Jackie surprises her with a meticulously curated “adult Scholastic book fair” filled with crystals, claw clips, finger massagers, and more. But even in the joy, they remain grounded in the reality that many people can’t access such safety and celebration, especially as immigrant communities across LA face escalated threats and disappearances.

They reflect on the ethics of privilege, how to support others while staying spiritually regulated, and what it means to keep showing up for joy when the world is on fire. The episode ends with an invitation to join their virtual Sunday meetings and a reminder that showing up, fully and honestly, is revolutionary.

Topics Covered:

• Finding joy during times of political and social unrest
• Mutual aid and small acts of protest support
• The emotional complexity of celebrating in hard times
• Building women-centered spaces of delight and healing
• Immigrant labor, fear, and solidarity in LA
• The balance of grief, activism, and joy
• Creating a book fair, party favors, and rituals of care
• Empathy collapse and why joy is not frivolous
• Jackie’s upcoming move for grad school + Denise’s tech training

Follow Us:

• Follow Jackie: @jackiefreed.la
• Follow Denise: @denise.freed
• Follow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryone
• Follow us on TikTok: @12stepsforeveryone